Posted 01/19/2017

Important Year End Reporting

Has your congregation had your annual meeting? Complete the following forms online after your annual meeting:

Statement of Intent for Mission Support – This form is used to to tell us your congregation’s plan for supporting ministries in South Dakota and the churchwide organization for 2017.
Congregational Leadership Form – This form is used to update contact information on leaders in your congregation.

All required forms and information can be found online at sdsynod.org/yearend.

File Your Annual Congregational Report by Feb 15

All congregations should have received the 2016 congregational report forms, along with instructions on how to complete the form, at the end of December. Online filing is now open and needs to be completed by February 15, 2017.

Click here to complete your annual congregational report.

Congregational Remittance Forms for 2017

All congregations should have received their remittance forms for 2017 and a letter on how to send in contributions to the Synod office. Please refer to this letter with instructions for contributions. Payments for registrations should be sent on a separate check. Questions? Contact Lois Borchardt, Business Manager at lborchardt@sdsynod.org or call 605-274-4025.

Annual Rostered Minister Reports to the Bishop

Reports for all Rostered Ministers can be filed online this year. Our goal this year was to make this annual reporting as easy as possible by creating an online version.

Click here to file your annual report to Bishop Zellmer that pertains to your particular call.

Complete Your Annual Health Assessment Today

A new year, a new health assessment is ready for you to take. Log on to your MyPortico to take your health assessment and earn $100 in Wellness Dollars. It only takes 10 minutes to complete. The Synod staff has completed their assessments and encourages all ELCA Primary Members and Spouses to complete yours as well. When you’re in your MyPortico, check out the other new ways to earn wellness dollars this year of up to $400! This year, Portico encourages you to consider the ways your physical, financial, and emotional health contribute to your overall well-being, then take steps to improve and create meaningful change in your life.

Lutheran Planned Giving Updates

Retirement Party for Jim Schade

Jim Schade, Director of Lutheran Planned Giving, will be retiring this month. To celebrate his 19 years of service and his retirement, there will be an open house at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, January 24th from 3-5 PM.

Send a farewell greeting to Jim as he heads into retirement by clicking here.

Seminary Debt Restructuring Program

The South Dakota Synod is pleased to announce a new program for rostered ministers under a congregational call to refinance their seminary debt into a new loan. The Synod Council approved of the program in October and the Synod has been working with Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota to process applications.

Rostered Ministers in a congregational call who are interested in setting up appointments for the Seminary Debt Restructuring Program may email LSS at CFR@LssSD.org OR call: Jesse Hall 605-444-7730 (toll free 888-258-2227 ext. 7730) OR Sara Ramirez 605-444-7768 (toll free 888-258-2227 ext. 7768). Jesse and Sara are certified counselors who will be conducting the sessions.

The pastor needs to identify they are interested in beginning the Seminary Debt Restructuring Program when they email or call.

Application Processing Costs:

Initial Session/Credit Report Consultation – $35
Second Appointment/Student Loan Counseling Session – $30

LSS is looking forward to working with, and helping pastors in the South Dakota Synod.

Questions regarding the new program can also be directed to Jim Schade at 605-940-2363.

Looking Ahead

Region 3 Hunger and Climate Retreat

Please join the Region 3 Hunger Retreat on Care of Creation and Climate Change on Feb 3-4 at the Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria, MN. The event begins with lunch at noon on Friday, Feb. 3 and concludes after lunch on Saturday. Cost is $50. Click here for more details and contact information.

Chrism Mass Services in February

The South Dakota Synod would like to extend an invitation to all rostered ministers and congregational leaders to attend one of the following Chrism Mass services in February:

February 26 – Atonement Lutheran, Rapid City – 5 PM
February 27 – Zion Lutheran, Aberdeen – 6:30 PM
February 28 – St. John American Lutheran, Sioux Falls – 6:30 PM

A Chrism Mass is for the blessing of Baptismal Oils and for the renewal of our commissioning, consecration, and ordination vows.

We will also be offering a blessing to newly elected council presidents as they serve this church. Please be sure to extend this invitation to them as well.

Conference Assemblies

The following conferences have scheduled their Conference Assemblies in March:

Southeastern: March 5, 2 PM at Scandia Lutheran in Centerville
Prairie Coteau: March 5, 3 PM at NeSoDak
Bear Butte: March 12, 3 PM at Piedmont Valley Lutheran Church
Northern Plains: March 19, 4 PM at St Paul Lutheran in Bowdle
Crossroads: March 26, 2 PM at Our Savior’s, Sioux Falls

Questions or changes can be sent to Crystal McCormick at cmccormick@sdsynod.org.

Spring Theological Conference – April 18-20

Please join us on April 18 – April 20, 2017 for our Spring Theological Conference to be held in downtown Sioux Falls. All Worship and Academic Sessions held at First Lutheran Church. Click here for more details.

Synod Assembly

Save the date for Synod Assembly, June 2-3, at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Sioux Falls.

SD Synod